The Chief Justice of India, Justice T S Thakur today visited the Central Basic Higher Secondary School, from where he had his schooling.Also present on the occasion were Chief Justice of J&K High Court N Paul Vasanthakumar, Justice R Sudhakar of JK High Court, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice Abdul Haq, Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism , Department of Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Ms Priya Sethi, MLA Jammu (East) Rajesh Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Dr Simrandeep Singh, Director School Education Jammu, Babila Rakwal, former teachers of the school, alumni, senior officials of various departments, staff and students.During his visit the Chief Justice TS Thakur took tour of the school complex, reminiscing about his days as a student there.The CJI while stressing on the importance of education and extracurricular activities in the overall development of the student, said that the skills learnt by him at the school like debating, declamation, public speaking helped pave way for his future as a lawyer and then as a judge.
The Chief Justice said education is the only means for progress without which no society, state can achieve anything.Stressing on no compromise to be made with regards to education, the Chief Justice said that it saddens him to see that despite great progress in the nation in last fifty years, the state of the schools, reflects a tale of neglect.He said the plight is not of just one school but of various educational institutions which need to be upgraded with latest equipments, smart classrooms, digital library, labs, talented teachers need to be employed to ensure maximum growth of the students of the state.The CJI said that these educational institutes helped to shape many students into successful persons in their chosen professions, are not just the heritage of the state but hold extreme importance in the development scenario and every effort needs to be made to ensure that these schools don’t end up as parking lots or commercial complexes.Chief Justice TS Thakur said that with the actions taken by the government over the past few years, he is hopeful that the outlook of education will change for better in the state.He also urged the audience to recognize the lead role that the teachers play in child development and asked them to remember to acknowledge their contribution.Responding to the request by Priya Sethi for taking the school under patronage, CJI said he will make every effort to do his part to give back to the institution that shaped him.Earlier, the CJI felicitated the teachers from his time at the school and remembered their role, contribution in helping him realize and develop his potential to the fullest.
Speaking on the occasion, the Law Minister said that efforts are being made to bring the State’s educational institutions at par with the national standards. He said growth and development of education needs to be taken in a mission mode for efficient, effective and uniform growth across the state.He further said that the visit by the distinguished alumni like CJI serves as a necessary motivation to give that extra thrust to students to work hard and see the pathways that education opens for them through hard work and dedication.Priya Sethi while informing the gathering that plans are underway to adopt this school under the model school program to streamline its development said with the adoption of this institution under Model School program, the necessary infrastructure and resource development would take place helping to bring the educational standards of the institute at par with the private institutions in the state.This will further help instill necessary technical skills among students to acquire jobs in the government and private sector and serve as contributing members of the society.Various cultural programs including traditional, folk dance and musicals were presented by students from multiple educational institutions.